MINUTES OF THE CATAWBA ISLAND BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
OCTOBER 9, 2019
Attendees
Debra Delp David Holman
Mike Owens John Paul Jones
Angie Schmitt John Schmitt
Chairman Bryan Baugh called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Board members in attendance included: Doug Blackburn, Jack Ziegler, Sandra Erwin, Alternate Flint Heidlebaugh and Alternate Brian Caldwell. Todd Bickley, Zoning Inspector and Matt Montowski, Trustee was also in attendance. Chairman Baugh read through the meeting process. He asked if there were any questions concerning the procedure to be used. There were no questions.
Flint Heidlebaugh replaced Tim McKenna, who was absent.
New Business
Case #331938 – Thomas & Debra Delp
Secretary Sandra Erwin read the facts of the case. The applicants are proposing a single family dwelling with an attached garage and they are requesting an area variance to reduce the rear yard setback from thirty-five feet (35’) to six feet (6’). The property is located at 1560 N. Starboard and is also known as Lot 118 of Harbor Park Marina Subdivision – Plat 6A. The property is zoned “R-4” Residential District.
No Board member had a conflict of interest.
Debra Delp was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Ms. Delp explained that a new single family home with a 24’ x 28’ attached garage, in line with the other homes in the neighborhood will be constructed on the lot. The proposal has been approved by the Harbor Park Association. A survey has been completed and the flood plain determined.
Jack Ziegler questioned if the existing structures will be removed from the lot. Ms. Delp indicated that all structures, including the shed will be removed.
Doug Blackburn questioned why the garage is not in line with the house. Ms. Delp noted that JDM has redrawn the site plan several times and that this is the best proposal.
John Paul Jones was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Jones indicated that he has no objection with the Delp’s proposal.
Mr. Blackburn questioned the side yard setback that was identified as 4’ 6” on the site plan. The required side yard setback is five feet (5’). The drawing was reviewed by the Board and Ms. Delp. The completed application indicated that the side yard setback was at six feet (6’). Ms. Delp will verify with JDM. Chairman Baugh noted that the house can be shifted to the north, if needed, to comply with side yard setback.
Chairman Baugh closed the discussion to the floor.
The finding of fact was reviewed by the Board. The Board agreed with the applicant by a 3 – 2 vote on Item 1; agreed with the applicant by a 4 – 1 vote on Items 2 and 3; agreed with the applicant by a 5 – 0 vote on Items 4, 5, and 7; and disagreed with the applicant by a 3 – 2 vote on Item #6.
Sandra Erwin made a motion to approve Case #331938 reducing the rear yard setback from thirty-five feet (35’) to six feet (6’) and requiring all other setbacks to be met. The motion was seconded by Flint Heidlebaugh. All Board members voted in favor of the motion. Chairman Baugh did not vote.
Case #331941 David R. Holman
Secretary Sandra Erwin read the facts of the case. The applicant is proposing a porch and garage addition and is requesting the reduction of the rear yard setback from forty feet (40’) to 18.5 feet and to exceed the lot coverage requirement from 30% to 34.5%. The property is located at 5475 E. Eastview Lane and is also known as Lot 25 of Eastview Subdivision. The property is zoned “A” Residential Low Density District.
No Board member had a conflict of interest.
Mike Owens, representing the property owner, was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Owens noted that Dave Holman has been a long time resident of the island and would like to expand at his current location. The proposal would consist of a 2.9’ expansion at the front of the house, which will consist of a small room and an uncovered porch and will not impair the visual view of his neighbors. The lot coverage will be at 34.5%, which is not unusual with the other lots in the subdivision. Mr. Owens noted that Mr. Holman’s home is one of the smaller homes on the street and that the addition will improve the aesthetics of the neighborhood.
Chairman Baugh questioned the shed. Mr. Owens indicated that it will be removed from the property.
Sandra Erwin questioned if the porch is covered or uncovered. The application states that the porch will be covered. Mr. Owens indicated that was an error, the porch will be uncovered.
Chairman Baugh questioned the foundation. Mr. Owens stated that the foundation will be concrete on a footer block. If the porch is covered, the property owner will need to obtain permission from the Board.
Mr. Ziegler questioned if a step is needed. If so, then the variance request will need to be readjusted. Mr. Owens indicated that steps out front would not be needed since the lot will be graded to the porch. Mr. Blackburn noted that if needed, the steps could go to the east side.
Chairman Baugh noted that the lot coverage is a small request. Todd Bickley noted that if the lot was zoned “R-3”, a lot coverage variance would not be needed.
Chairman Baugh closed the discussion to the floor.
The finding of fact was reviewed by the Board. The Board agreed with the applicant by a 5 – 0 vote on Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7; and disagreed by a 4 – 1 vote on Item #6.
Doug Blackburn made a motion to approve Case #331941, subject to the conditions that the porch is not enclosed and no steps off the north side of the porch. The motion was seconded by Jack Ziegler. All Board members voted in favor of the motion. Chairman Baugh did not vote.
Approval of Minutes – August 14, 2019
The meeting minutes from the September 11, 2019 meeting was mailed to each member. Jack Ziegler moved to approve the September 11, 2019 meeting minutes. The motion was seconded by Doug Blackburn. Motion passed.
Other Business
Mr. Bickley informed the Board that an appeal of Mike Voll’s garage addition was not filed with the Common Pleas Court. Mr. Bickley also noted that the Board’s decision on the Miller Boat Line use variance was upheld by the Common Pleas Court. The decision was dated September 23, 2019. The appellant, Jeffrey Jadwisiak, has thirty (30) days to appeal the Common Pleas Court decision.
Trustee Matt Montowski reviewed several actions recently taken by the Catawba Island Township Trustees.
Chairman Baugh questioned if an application for a hotel at Mon Ami has been filed. Mr. Bickley noted that he has talked with Mr. Smith and that a conditional use application cannot be accepted until October 11th, which is thirty (30) days after the Trustees decision modifying the rezoning application.
Flint Heidlebaugh questioned The Orchard expansion plans. Mr. Bickley noted that he has talked with the owner, but no formal plans have been submitted to his office. The home to the north is proposed to be used as a Bed & Breakfast Inn.
Adjournment
Doug Blackburn moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Sandra Erwin. The meeting was adjourned at 6:36 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
______________________________ ________________________________
Bryan Baugh, Chairman Sandra Erwin, Secretary